Taking your car into the garage can be a real risk; corrupt garages and mechanics can overcharge you for parts or repairs, or can include extra costs that weren’t covered in the original quote. Unfortunately, many of the people targeted by these kind of scams are women, and particularly young female drivers, with the belief that they won’t be aware of what counts as essential costs helping to raise costs. In this context, it’s important for anyone to ensure that they’re not being ripped off by following some of the steps below:

Get a Recommendation
Check with your friends and family to find out whether a garage has been reliable for them in the past; have a garage lined up before you have to pay for repairs, as this will prevent the dangers associated with finding a garage at short notice.

Give Mechanics Notes
This means writing down what needs to be done to your car, and being prepared to negotiate over it. If possible, get a mechanic to sign a written contract, and keep a copy for yourself to prevent them from doing anything extra.

Check Quote Prices
Make sure that all charges for your repair work are included with an original quote; this should include VAT and any administrative costs.

Take Pictures of Your Car
If you’re unsure about a garage, take plenty of pictures of your car before taking it into the garage; these can then be compared when you get the car back to see if any problems were there beforehand.

Be Aware of Small Problems
Don’t leave small problems to build up – deal with scratches, engine problems, and anything that you can fix yourself before it can become more serious.

Don’t be Afraid to Challenge Mechanics
As long as you’ve done your research, you are within your rights to challenge mechanics on quotes. Don’t just accept their word on how much something should cost.

Get Guaranteed Parts and Services
Make sure that your parts and services are guaranteed by the garage – if they won’t provide this service, always take your business to another one.

Consider Your Local Dealership
Rather than going down an independent route, consider using your dealership for any repairs that are covered by your warranty; you may also be able to get a rental car for the time that your car is in the shop.

Get Estimates
This means getting several different quotes from a few garages; written estimates can be compared and used to see whether a garage will be competitive in terms of price.

Check Prices Online
Take the time to check the actual price of quoted costs from a garage before signing your car over – this can only take 10 minutes or so of your time with a phone or tablet at a garage. Again, don’t be afraid to drag out a process if you’re unsure – rushing into a contract can be an easy way to end up with a very expensive bill for the work done on your car.

About the Author
Rob James is a mechanic and a kit car enthusiast. His favourite car is the MINI cooper One Countryman. Rob can be found blogging about general maintenance, driving advice, and the different car rallies he attends.

Tags: Advice, Maintenance and Repair

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We’ve all heard the hype. Seen the commercials about stupendous gas mileage (and with gas prices creeping up again, who hasn’t paid attention to those?) But we’ve also heard some negatives. How batteries wear out and how expensive they are. So, if you’re looking for a new car, is it time for you to buy a hybrid, an all electric or stick with regular gasoline? Let’s take a look at the facts.

Pros

1. You have to admit, with some cars like the Nissan Leaf. Toyota Prius Hybrid, the Chevy Volt and the Ford Focus all boasting gas mileage over 95 miles per gallon, that’s impressive. Regardless of which one you choose, you’ll definitely save money on gasoline. If your home is wired for solar energy, even charging your car won’t cost anything.

2. New cars are loaded with extras. Not only do they have all the newest styling cues but with built-in GPS, cell phones, internet connectivity, satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic air tire pressure monitoring, new cars are chock full of new gear that even the most tech savvy driver will love.

3. With all of the new mandated safety equipment and auto makers trying to one-up each other, new cars are safer than ever. Front air bags have been standard equipment for decades but now, side air bags and curtain cushion restraint systems have become standard in many cars now. Also, with updated engineering for crumple-zones and equipment displacement techniques, even cars without side air bags are still significantly safer.

Cons

1. Although auto makers have priced hybrids and electrics similar to their gasoline counterparts, there are some maintenance expenses that are unusual. That’s because with the electric hybrids and full electrics, there’s a huge battery pack that will have to be replaced at least once during the life of the car. These battery packs cost in the thousands of dollars, not the hundreds so when it quits holding a charge, that is a significant expense. Auto companies have created “battery programs” to help defray some of the expenses of batteries by breaking the cost down into an additional monthly payment but the cost is still there.

2. Because of the battery life, depending on where the car is in it’s battery life cycle, it’s resale value could be severely impacted. If you sell your car at the end of the battery cycle, it could take as much as $7,500 to $10,000 off of it’s ultimate resale value.

3. Driving range is limited, especially for full electrics. While the overall driving range is improving, current full electric cars and hybrids running on electric are usually good for about 30 to 50 miles before needing to be recharged. Of course, with a gas/electric hybrid, all you need to do is switch over to the gas engine but that dramatically reduces your overall gas mileage.
The best way to know if an all-electric or hybrid car will be in your best interest is to take a close look at your driving habits. If your daily commute is under the 50 mile round trip limit, you may well come out ahead.

About the author:

Denisse Troconis Aoun is an Online Marketing Consultant. Passionate about US Hispanics & LATAM market – Hispanic Creativity for Latinos! I’m focused. I create. I learn. I grow. I work with iNetGiant.

Tags: Advice, Car Shopping

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When viewed as a whole, a car is an intimidating network of wires, moving components, vacuums and other technical bits and pieces only a professional mechanic could remember all the names of. Every make of a car, whether looking for new Acura parts or updating a classic Ford Mustang, needs some TLC. All of those parts and connections are vital in order for a car to function properly, and the last thing anyone wants is a malfunctioning car speeding down the highway. For this reason, many people simply throw their hands up in the air and refuse to work on even basic aspects of their own car. Indeed, the fear of car maintenance is what causes many to skip right over used car reviews and put down thousands of extra dollars for a new car. In reality, though, every car eventually needs some type of work. It may be easier to bring it into a shop, but frequent visits can really begin to add up.

Changing Your Oil

An oil change is usually the first car maintenance people learn and attempt, and it makes an excellent starting point. You’ll need a few tools and the appropriate oil for your particular vehicle model. First, you may need to jack up the car or remove obstructions to get to the oil filter. Place an oil drain pan underneath the drain plug to catch the old oil, but be aware that the oil will drain at an angle. When everything is in place, use a standard wrench to remove the plug. The oil should begin to flow into the pan. Once it’s done, you can replace the plug and change out the oil filter, if needed. Finally, you can add new oil to the appropriate level.

Installing New Windshield Wiper Blades

After about a year of use, most windshield wipers lose their effectiveness and begin to simply smear water around rather than wipe it away. The change can be so gradual that many drivers don’t even notice it, but old wipers can be a major hindrance in adverse conditions. Luckily, they are quite easy to swap out. You will need to find the right wipers for your car, which should be available at most auto stores. Pull the current wipers back and away from the car. There should be a small tab on the underside that, when pushed, will cause the old blade to detach. The new wipers hook into place and should give a click when installed correctly.

Changing Brake Pads

Brake pads are another one of those little chores that need to be performed regularly, but require a long wait and a small fortune in the process. Thankfully, most cars today have very simple brake systems that anyone can maintain. Front brakes need to be performed much more often than rear, and these are the brake pads that are usually changed at home. With your new brake pads and brake fluid, jack up the car and take off one of the wheels. The brakes assembly is protected by a caliper, which can be lifted into an upright position by removing two pins. The brake pad should now be visible, and it’s a simple matter of replacing the clips and sliding the new pad into place. Close the caliper carefully, reattach the wheel and you’re ready to do the other brake pad.

Replacing Light Bulbs

This is a very simple procedure, but one that can save you a lot of hassle from state troopers. When a light bulb burns out in either the headlight or the tail light, it can be replaced by first locating the light’s access point, detaching the wiring panel and then pulling the bulb out. A new bulb can then be mounted and the wiring put back into place, but be sure to test that the bulb is working before you head onto the highway!

Authored By: Jorge Cortez

Tags: Auto Parts, Guides, Maintenance and Repair

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Car shopping can evoke excitement and anxiety in anyone, but don’t let those emotions prevent you from getting the best deal possible. Being prepared and making smart choices can save you hundreds if not thousands of dollars. While there are countless ways to save money when buying a car, you may be surprised just how much money you save when following these five useful tips.

Purchase Out-of-State

A great way to save is to purchase a car in a state with lower sales tax than yours, or better yet, no sales tax at all. When purchasing the car out-of-state, it is possible to have it delivered to you through a car shipping company. Transport companies provide customers with multiple, free, no obligation car shipping quotes. Shipping services like this can help relieve the stress of your purchase and save you time and money.

When it comes to sales tax and saving money, not only the state matters. Also pay attention to the city and county fees. By simply crossing county lines you can save a decent amount of cash.

Consider All Options

Buying a new car from a new car dealership can be exciting, but you can save a substantial amount of money if you consider other options. For example, purchasing a one or two year old vehicle can still provide you with the feel of a new car, but save you several thousand dollars. According to Smart on Money, when driven off the lot, a car loses a dramatic amount of value. Take advantage of this lost value by purchasing a vehicle that has already been off the lot.

It’s possible to save even more money when buying from a private owner — don’t have to worry about paying them sales tax — so consider looking online for a car being sold by someone in your area.

Eliminate Extras

If you do decide to purchase new, there are still plenty of ways you can save money. One of them is to consider the extra options and decide which ones you need. By eliminating a navigation system and built-in DVD player you can save yourself almost $4,000. Plus, with tablets and smart phones, on-the-go navigation and entertainment is already accessible.

Always Negotiate

Wherever you buy a car, remember everything is negotiable. From the price to the additional fees at closing, make sure to look everything over carefully. If a fee seems too high or unnecessary, question it. If the salesperson can’t budge on a particular fee, try to get something thrown in for free. Once the dealership has the paperwork drawn up, they are not going to lose the sale over a couple hundred dollars. If you are too shy or don’t like negotiating, bring a friend or family member who is willing to do it for you.

Avoid Add-ons

At closing, the dealership is going to try to add on extras, such as an anti-theft device, paint sealant and fabric protection. Consumer Reports points out that while these are all great options, you can get them much cheaper after the fact. Extended warranties are another thing you can purchase much cheaper after market. Just say no at the dealership to save yourself some big bucks.

Tags: Advice, Car Shopping, General, Leasing

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When you buy a sports car, what sets it apart from other vehicles and makes it worth
the extra cash, is the amount of features it has to make the driving experience more pleasurable.

Some manufacturers fill their vehicles with all sorts of gadgets and appliances that have little or no practical use. However, some luxury features are incredible and really do affect the ride quality and overall experience of driving. Here are our top five suggestions for features that no sports car can do without.

1. Remote keyless entry
If you add up all the time you spend fumbling around for your keys in your bag or pockets, you would waste hours over the course of your life. A remote keyless system allows you to get in and start the car, as long as you have the keys on your somewhere or simply press a button on the remote. This is especially important when getting into your car in dimly lit or slightly dodgy areas. It’s a very reassuring safety feature.

2. Anti lock brakes
Having the power to stop quickly and safely is crucial for ride safety. There is no better system for doing this than having ABS. They work by pumping the brakes at incredible speeds, increasing the traction of the wheel and allowing you to stop on a sixpence. Many accidents are prevented and lives saved by this one safety feature alone.

3. Rear DVD player
You love your kids but they really are a nuisance when you’re in the car and trying to drive. If only you had something to keep them distracted; which is exactly why a rear DVD player is such an amazing feature.

We all remember what it was like to be stuck in the back of the car for hours on end, so just imagine what it would have been like to watch your favorite film.

4. GPS navigation
Getting lost, especially when you’re late is incredibly frustrating. With a GPS, however, you never need get lost again. This little beauty will tell you where you are and where you are going at all times; which means an end to those nasty arguments about who was supposed to be reading the map or know the way.

5. Side impact airbags
Many accidents, especially many serious ones, involve being hit from the side. This is one of the most vulnerable areas of the car so having side impact airbags is very reassuring indeed. Knowing that you and your loved ones are as safe as possible in the car is one of the greatest luxuries there is, and definitely worth every penny.

Author
Kat Prescott

Tags: Advice, Gadgets & Gizmos, Guides

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